Sometimes called blowfish or sea squab, many people refuse to eat them because of their reputation for being poisonous. However, blowfish caught in Carolina waters are generally non-toxic and delicious. According to the web site Examiner.com, puffer fish are perfectly safe to eat once the roe is discarded.
Here is a short video showing how to clean North Carolina puffer fish:
And here is a recipe. As islanders say, "they are good eatin'!!"
Breaded Blowfish
20 blowfish strips from 10 fish
½ cup flour
½ cup cornmeal
1 egg
½ cup milk
seafood seasoning
olive oil
Season blowfish with seafood seasoning. Break open egg and mix with milk, stirring until egg is beaten. Combine flour and cornmeal. Heat olive oil in a pan, just covering the bottom. Dip blowfish in milk and eggs then roll in flour and cornmeal. Sauté quickly over medium high heat until fish is golden brown, 7 to 9 minutes. Serves 3.
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of Capt. Horatio Williams and his schooner, the Paragon. You can read the story here: www.villagecraftsmen.com/news112115.htm.
PH the link to the Examiner article had a sidebar link. The link mentioned a Miley Cyrus song, a song written about her late blow fish named Pablow. I had to go yo the web for a you tube viewing, it is a moving tribute to her former fish. Thank you for showing me the way.
ReplyDeleteBack in the 1940's my granddad and I would catch about a bushel every day in the spring and fall runs. We'd use one inch square of old, unwashed, white cloth for bait. As we cleaned them all to sell along with the roe, just one word of caution: attached to the liver is very bright green, pea sized gland. If it broken while cleaning, discard the whole fish--that's the poisin!!!
ReplyDeleteA super video on cleaning Mr. Toad is on the home page of; drumwagon.com
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